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Rockhounding in North Dakota

20 mapped spots across 17 counties. North Dakota produces a wide range of rockhounding-grade material — see the full list of spots, minerals, and access notes below.

Map showing 20 rockhounding spots in North Dakota

Top minerals found in North Dakota

Counts reflect how many spots in this list mention each mineral.

Rockhounding near major North Dakota cities

Day-trip range. Each section lists the closest mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of the city — most are inside a 2 to 3 hour drive.

Neighboring states with rockhounding

Geology rarely respects state borders. These states share mapped rockhounding country with North Dakota — useful when North Dakota is the start, not the whole trip. Each card links to the closest county across the line.

Every rockhounding spot in North Dakota

Sorted by county. Tap coordinates to open in Google Maps, or open RockHoundR for the full map view with land overlays and weather.

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Hettinger4th Street NortheastAdams County46.1883, -102.5802Public
MedoraI 94Billings County46.9233, -103.4921Public
BismarkGallatin LoopBurleigh County46.7597, -100.8355Public
Sheyenne River29th Street NortheastEddy County47.8318, -98.9353Public
Hettinger CountyState Highway 8Hettinger County46.5117, -102.3170Public
TappenHighway 10Kidder County46.8796, -99.4569Public
Souris RiverRiver Road NorthMcHenry County48.1150, -100.8019Public
Little Missouri RiverMcKenzie County47.5240, -103.4521Public
McKenzie CountyMcKenzie County47.9824, -103.8391Public
Crowley QuarryCounty Road 26Mercer County47.3348, -101.8077Public
KilldeerCounty Road 5Mercer County
  • Knife River Flint
47.1537, -102.0572Public
MandanSunny Place SouthMorton County46.8174, -100.9353Public
StanleyMountrail County48.4033, -102.4808Public
Tongue RiverCentral AvenuePembina County48.7399, -97.9318Public
LisbonValley RoadRansom County46.4475, -97.6920Public
Turtle MountainBia 23Rolette County48.8155, -99.9217Public
Cannonball RiverSioux County46.3596, -100.9431Public
DickinsonLehigh RoadStark County46.8706, -102.6924Public
Richardton42nd Street SouthwestStark County46.8031, -102.3097Public
Williams County138th Avenue NorthwestWilliams County
  • Montana Moss Agate
  • Red Jasper
  • Yellow Jasper
48.1154, -103.7079Public

North Dakota rockhounding FAQ

Is rockhounding legal in North Dakota?+
Casual hand collecting is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in North Dakota, with daily and annual limits set by the managing field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal lands are off-limits. Always confirm rules with the local agency before a trip.
What rocks and minerals can you find in North Dakota?+
North Dakota spots in this list most commonly produce Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Silicified Wood, Fossils. The full list across all spots is broader.
How many rockhounding sites are in North Dakota?+
RockHoundR currently lists 20 rockhounding spots in North Dakota across 17 counties. Many more exist; the app keeps your private finds saved alongside the public ones.
Can I take rocks home from North Dakota public land?+
On most BLM and Forest Service land, recreational hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed in reasonable amounts. Vertebrate fossils, archaeological items, and posted mining-claim minerals are not. Check the field office for current limits.

Map every North Dakota spot in the app

Open the RockHoundR app to see North Dakota on a real map with public land overlays, weather, geology, and your saved finds.

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